A month to the day after my 12th birthday I woke to another massive bunch of notifications from the system.
*Your class Elven juvenile has upgraded to Elven adolescent.*
*You may now take a combat or professional class.*
*You gain 2 class skills slots.*
*One-tenth of the experience gained as an Elven juvenile will be automatically applied to Elven adolescent.*
*Level up. Elven adolescent level 1. You gain 1 physical stat, 1 mental stat, and 2 free stats.*
*Level up. Elven adolescent level 2. You gain 1 physical stat, 1 mental stat, and 2 free stats.*
…
*Level up. Elven adolescent level 9. You gain 1 physical stat, 1 mental stat, and 2 free stats.*
*You have gained access to the Swords passive class skill.*
*You have gained access to the Noble passive class skill.*
*You have gained access to the Fighting passive class skill.*
*You have gained access to the Dodging passive class skill.*
*You have gained access to the Dancing passive class skill.*
*You have gained access to the Training passive class skill.*
Well in comparison to my first class upgrade that was a little underwhelming. The stats were obviously very nice and I would assign them before getting my first class just in case. I doubted they’d make a huge difference, but every little bit helped when class options were concerned.
I only got five new skills too, although I still had access to all the ones I never used before, even Learning Languages. Apparently skills you lose reset to level 1, but you can still get them again later as long as you still qualify for them. Assigning a new level 1 skill wasn’t likely to change anything class wise so I decided to wait until after I saw what my first class was to mess with those. I considered my stats for now.
*Unspent Stat Points: 9 physical, 9 mental, 18 free
Mana: 156/156
Mana Regeneration per day: 177 (-112)
Strength: 10 (+1)
Agility: 13 (+1)
Vitality: 16 (+1)
Animus: 16
Magic: 15
Manipulation: 16*
Well I had just enough points to get all my stats up to 20 with 2 remaining. Since I was going for a warrior class I considered just doing as many physical stats as possible, but I did intend to eventually have magic as well. Until I knew what class I was going to get a balanced approach just seemed best.
I got all my stats up to 20 then considered what to do with my last 2. A while back I had considered Vitality and Animus as critical for my long term survival in this world. So I just put one point into each of them. Plus my mana regeneration kinda stunk with all these maxed out passive skills, so getting another 11 regen was pretty much exactly what I needed.
With that everything was prepared. All I needed was to tell everyone. I hopped out of bed.
I rushed out into the entertaining room to see mother and Taele quietly enjoying breakfast side by side. I can’t say I’ve enjoyed seeing my ‘mothers’ kiss quite as much as I have in the last month, but I was also deeply happy for them.
“My class upgraded!” I announced with a huge grin on my face. I was practically a ball of excited energy, my kid self very much showing through.
“Congratulations!” Mother said and Taele echoed closely behind her.
“Is Pen here?” I asked.
Taele shook her head. “I believe she is training outside with Dame Riza.” That made sense, since Penelope’s combat ability had outstripped mine she would train with Riza in the mornings and me before lunch.
“Well I’m going to go tell her I’ll be missing sparring, and inform Halcroft of course…” My happiness disappeared from the last part of the sentence. I had been pretending to be the perfect obedient child around him since our deal and it was grating to say the least.
I ran back into my room and got changed into a simple dress, brushed out my hair, and ensured I didn’t look absolutely horrible. Gaining a class or classing up took hours and you were unconscious during the time, so I wasn’t going to get pretty just to get more bed hair. I felt my Pretty skill groan at me not making myself perfectly presentable, but I ignored it.
I stepped out of the bathroom ready to run around the castle then return here as quickly as possible. However my mother was standing there with a plate of sausage and an omelet. “I know you are excited, but you will eat before you go, young lady.” She said sternly.
I ducked my head and took the plate. “Yes, mom.” I said glumly. Goddesses, she could make me feel like a 12 year old whenever she wanted to. I had not a month ago negotiated a deal with a duke and yet she could reduce my nearly 40 years of life to nothing with just a look.
I sat down very unlady-like across from Taele and began shoving the food into my mouth as quickly as possible. Taele lips curled up as she looked at me. “Sometimes I forget how young you are until you shove a whole omelet into your mouth just to hurry up and wait.”
Mom huffed as she sat down and put her head on Taele’s shoulder. “Blame me, I was always indifferent to being a princess and clearly I passed that on to my daughter.”
Taele wrapped an arm around mom. “Well you did treat her like a commoner at first, so yes I absolutely blame you.” She bopped my mom’s nose. Ugh, these two were just so lovey dovey. It made me want to gag sometimes. But now wasn’t one of those times, gagging would just slow me down!
I dropped the fork then stood up. I looked at them cuddling and decided to tease them a bit. “Alright, if you guys are going to be like that with me here, then-” I point to mom. “You are mom” Then I pointed to Taele. “And you are ma from now on.” I nodded fiercely then began to run out the door.
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“Wait? Why does she get to be ma? Do I have a say in this?” Mom called after me. Taele just started laughing. “Ma is way cuter…” Mom pouted.
I rushed down the stairs and into the courtyard. I saw Riza attempting to correct Penelope’s form. “Pen!” I shouted, making them both jump. “My class upgraded! I’m going to get my new class so no sparring today!” I ran up and hugged the surprised girl.
“What? Really?” Penelope asked.
“Congratulations princess.” Riza said formily.
“Yeah!” I jumped back. “Thanks Riza, alright, I gotta go!” I ran back out of the courtyard toward where I expected Halcroft to be this early in the morning, his apartment. They called after me but I ignored them.
I had found out what Riza had been doing the day Isaac assaulted Taele. It had been her one day off a week when she goes into town to see her kids. The day was never the same to ensure no one outside the manor could plan around it, but clearly Isaac knew and decided to take advantage of the fact that Taele’s temporary guard was far less loyal to her. The guard’s loyalty to Isaac cost him his cushy job when Halcroft not only fired him but banished him from his province.
I had always found it strange Taele had a guard but we didn’t. Though I put two and two together and realized Isaac had pulled this shit before. It was probably the reason Taele and Penelope were allowed to have their own apartment away from him. I had to have some minor amount of respect for Halcroft actually doing something about domestic abuse, but it was far outweighed by the fact he still forced her to remain here.
Either way I had to put on my obedient but also a little haughty princess mask. This conversation probably wouldn’t be a drive by like with my moms or Pen. I snickered to myself thinking about Taele as one of my moms. It was true though, she had been a mother to me since I was two. Me thinking of her that way was probably overdue if anything.
I approached his apartment which I had done a few times over the last month. He wanted to know more about my plans for my fire healing class and what potential combat classes I might go toward. He had his own suggestions which I of course pretended to be all too grateful to hear. He knew more about the system than I did certainly, but I trusted my mother and Mathis’s council far more.
“Princess Alea here to see the duke at his earliest convenience.” I announced in the appropriate formal way to the guard at the door. Halcroft loved it when I adhered to protocol.
“Of course your highness.” The guard bowed then entered the room. A moment later he returned. “The lord will see you now.”
I gave a little nod to the guard then stepped through the open door. “Oh my lovely granddaughter, to what do I owe this rare pleasure.” Halcroft said happily from the table he was sitting at. He had his breakfast in front of him and a maid behind him seeing to his every want or need.
The door closed behind me and curtsied deeply in absolutely perfect form. My right leg came behind my left and I lowered to the ground while bowing my head slightly and raising the skirt of my dress a bit. The dress was too simple for such a formal maneuver, but I just didn’t care.
I rose after the appropriate amount of time. “Grandfather, my species class has upgraded and I plan to take my first class immediately.” I did not cast my eyes downward as technically my title was greater than his despite being adopted by him, though since he was technically my grandfather it was courtesy to bow or curtsy to show respect. I was pretending to be obedient, not meek. I had to constantly walk the tight rope around him.
“Ah, that is fantastic news.” He began to stroke the scar over his eye. It occurred to me only now that a man of his wealth could easily pay to have it healed. My opinion of him declined yet further when I realized he probably kept it because he thought it made him look more imposing. “I believe we have already discussed everything. It is time to see if you are truly all you claim to be.”
I bowed my head slightly. “Then I will retire to my apartment.”
“Once you assign skills I would like to discuss what you see within your soul.” Halcroft said. It wasn’t an order, but I would follow it and tell as much of the truth as I could afford to. Now that I had a class, assuming it was powerful, the clock on our escape was truly ticking. Knowing an end was coming to end this constant assault on my pride one way or the other I could continue to amuse him.
“I would expect nothing else, my lord.” I gave him a knowing grin.
“Ah… and I have been holding off discussing it, but I think you should accompany me to the upcoming social season.” He said all happiness and cheer.
My mind screamed but I had already prepared for exactly this inevitability. Ever since the night of my birthday I knew this was coming thanks to Rose hinting at it. I had rehearsed this exact answer a hundred times. My mouth moved on its own. “That is an interesting Idea.” I mocked the concerned thought I had practiced. “I believe it would be good for more nobles to see your newest granddaughter. But…” My face frowned a bit as I pretended to consider the idea.
I needed Halcroft to leave for the social season without either Taele, Penelope, my mother, or I. It was the only way we could ever hope to escape. I knew how greedy he was despite his noble act, and that he would want to show a princess of Ysara willingly joining his family.
Halcroft gave me a curious look. “But?” The eyebrow without a scar through it raised.
I let another pregnant moment go by. “I just don’t know if this will present our families’ position in the best possible light.” I intentionally included myself in his family to make him feel better about himself. I had to hope that is what he felt, because if he felt suspicion I would be sunk. “My level will be low, even with my very good starting position, I gained 8 levels from stored experience. I would be lucky to get to level 60 before we left and I wouldn’t be able to train while we travel or in the capital if I am to attend social functions. Showing such weakness is not becoming of the Halcrofts.” I said with increasing confidence. Because, as with all my words they were all technically true in one way or another. I didn’t actually consider myself his granddaughter, but I did consider part of his family to be my family. Additionally, it was well known the Halcroft family never showed weakness publically and with the travel time I wouldn’t be able to level very much.
I gave him an evil grin before raising a finger to my temple. I continued to pretend to consider. “I may have a much better idea, grandfather.” He looked at me with curious attention. “I am confident that I can level quickly, when I put my mind to something I devour it endlessly. I will better myself, I will make myself worthy of my family. The social season is four months long, ending with the grand Hakan ball if I remember correctly.” My voice held a tone of intrigue. “Imagine it, an elven princess having binded herself to a Duke of Hakan, not even 13 and already over level 100. The message that sends is positively-” I squeezed the moment with a confident grin. “-enticing.”
When Halcroft bared his teeth in a smile, I knew I had him. He had bought it entirely. “100 levels in 4 months?” He asked. “You are confident you can accomplish this?”
“My confidence is entirely unwavering.” And it was, I believed this was possible. I would do it faster even.
Halcroft burst into laughter. “By Urkan’s name, I love the audacity!” He stood up. “You do this for me, show the king my absolute triumph, and I will consider you as a potential heir over Dylan.” He walked over to me and to my utter surprise he embraced me. I wanted to crawl out of my skin when he touched me, but thankfully it was brief. “I will be sure that Duchess Alea Halcroft is a possibility. Dylan has shown promise, but you are something truly special. It is as if fate herself has drawn you to my family.”
I stood stunned for a moment before I could control my face. He was offering me actual power, that was deeply surprising. I didn’t think I had fooled him quite this much. Although if I could do what I claimed it would be miraculous indeed. However I had little interest in power over others, that had been thoroughly scrubbed from me in both my lives. I had not just been poor as Jacob, but family-less, going from foster to foster. In this life my happy life had been stolen from me right when I believed I was going to finally have a normal childhood. I knew what it was to be powerless and watch as the rich took evermore.
“I’ll admit your trust in me is surprising, but not unwelcome.” I lied truthfully. “I will not allow myself to fail in this.” I gave him a stern look.
He patted me on the shoulder and shook his head. “We will see, for now, go get your first class. I wish to see my triumph's first truly great step forward. If the class you have coming is everything you claim we will go with your plan.” He stepped back and his eyes became serious. “Do not fail me.” He warned, each of the words with a weight that made me almost show fear.
I turned to leave. I took a few confident steps toward the door.
I blinked, looking at Halcroft confused for a moment. I shook my head and turned to leave. I buzzed with excitement at my successful negotiation with Halcroft. I didn’t think I had this much adrenaline during the conversation, but obviously I was more excited then I thought. I only felt the high start to come down as I returned to my apartment.